Paramount+ today announced that Academy Award nominees Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Clive Owen (Closer) are set to star in the upcoming limited series JONBENÉT RAMSEY (working title) as JonBenét’s parents Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios, production will begin in Calgary, Canada, with Academy Award nominee Richard LaGravenese (Behind the Candelabra) serving as showrunner and executive producer. Four of the eight episodes, including the first episode, will be directed by Anne Sewitsky (Presumed Innocent), who will also serve as executive producer.

JONBENÉT RAMSEY (w/t) explores the tragic unsolved murder of six-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey. It follows the Ramsey family, before and after the tragedy as they go through the painful loss of a child while facing intense public scrutiny caused by a media frenzy that caused this case to captivate an entire nation. At the heart of the series, it is the story of Patsy and John Ramsey – exploring the unbreakable partnership of these two complex people – as husband and wife, as mother and father – who had committed themselves and their children to building the narrative of a perfect, privileged life only to have it destroyed one Christmas night in 1996.

“Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are an extraordinary duo to delve into this tragic story that has cast a long, haunting shadow over American culture for nearly three decades,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios.

“JonBenét Ramsey continues to be one of the country’s most fascinating unsolved murders,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. “The incredible talent of Melissa McCarthy, Clive Owen and the creative team led by Richard LaGravenese will illuminate her story with the acuity and nuance it deserves.”  

“We have been working to bring this thought provoking and bold project to audiences for some time now and could not be happier with the top notch team working in front of and behind the camera,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.

Melissa McCarthy is an award-winning actress and producer with Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for her role in Bridesmaids, a second Academy Award nomination for Can You Ever Forgive Me?, as well as Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, and SAG Award nominations. She was honored with the People Choice Award’s Inaugural People’s Icon Award and the prestigious Comedic Genius Award from MTV. McCarthy’s film credits includeThe Little Mermaid, Unfrosted, Genie, Thunder Force, Bridesmaids, Spy, Identity Thief,  Ghostbusters, Tammy, This is 40, and The Hangover Part III; and television credits include God’s Favorite Idiot, Nine Perfect Strangers, Gilmore Girls, Samantha Who?, and Mike & Molly. She and husband, Ben Falcone, have successfully produced numerous film and television projects including Tammy, The Boss, Life of the Party, Thunder Force and God’s Favorite Idiot, as well as the critically acclaimed documentary Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed.

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Clive Owen is celebrated by audiences in the U.K., the United States and around the world. In 2005, he won a Golden Globe and picked up an Academy Award nomination for his role in Mike Nichols’ Closer. His film credits include Croupier, Gosford Park, Sin City, Children of Men, Inside Man, Shoot’Em Up, The International, Duplicity and The Boys Are Back. He made his American TV debut in the film Hemingway and Gellhorn, which earned him Emmy, SAG and Golden Globe nominations.  He executive produced and starred in The Knick, which earned him a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination. His television credits include Monsieur Spade, A Murder at the End of the World, Chancer, Second Sight, The Echo, The Hire, The Night Of, Lisey’s Story, and Impeachment: American Crime Story.

JONBENÉT RAMSEY (w/t) will be executive produced by David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Melissa McCarthy, and Anne Sewitsky. Writers Richard LaGravense, Harrison Query & Tommy Wallach will also serve as executive producers. Query & Wallach sold the project to MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios.

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from Paramount that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel™, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.

By Mr. Will Wong

After its debut in 1989, Disney animated feature THE LITTLE MERMAID would go on to become a global phenomenon, winning Golden Globes and Oscars, in addition to winning the hearts of a generation of fans. Some 34 years later, we get Rob Marshall‘s live-action adaptation of this tale of a mermaid who seeks to carve her own path, finding love with a human prince is about to enchant a new generation once again.

We were delighted to join a global press conference with the Director, Composer and Producer of Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID. In-attendance were:

Two-time Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy plays Sea Witch Ursula. She talks about the excitement of people finally seeing this labour of love, which began production five years ago. She and her castmates attended last night’s Hollywood Premiere, which was a grand street-shutting affair.

McCarthy: “It’s really exciting. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done it, you’re like ‘Do they really shut it down? Is the whole street blue?’. This is why I love movies, making them and everything got kind of exciting. It’s been such a long labour of love. It’s taken a while to make this beautiful thing. It’s like sending the kids off on a bus.”.

“This is the first time my kids have wanted to come to a premiere. I was nervous, but also excited they were there. They loved the Movie so much. It was fun seeing them be excited about seeing people and meeting them. They were like, ‘Oh my God, Halle is sitting behind us!’”.

Halle Bailey who stars in the plum role of Ariel, talks about her sister Chloe, who happens to be other half of their duo Chloe x Halle, finally seeing her breakthrough performance on-screen last night.

Bailey: “My sister is my best friend, she’s my rock and so yesterday was her first time seeing the Film! She cried. She was squeezing my hand so tight the whole time. I’m just so happy she loved it. And I can pat myself on the back that my big sister loved it.”.

Bailey also recalls the moment she learned she got the call from Director Rob Marshall.

Bailey: “My first reaction was sobbing.  I think we had just celebrated my sister’s birthday, before renting an Airbnb and I got this call from Rob. I don’t answer unknown numbers. And my baby brother said. ‘Answer your phone!’ and I was like okay. It was Rob and he said, “Hello, I’m looking for Ariel!’. I was just crying the whole day.”.

Jonah Hauer-King is a real revelation as Prince Eric in this live-action adaptation and he talks about the warm reception the Film has gotten already.

Hauer-King: “It’s horrendous having to sing on-screen with a Grammy-nominated Artist in a film. That’s not fun for anyone. It was an amazing night and I think the reaction from the audience to the music was incredible. It felt like such a warm reaction, so much great energy in the room. It was quite special.”.

Hamilton star Daveed Diggs plays lovable crab Sebastian and though his castmates had seen the Film prior, it was his first time seeing it.  He compares the experience working on The Little Mermaid to that of his theatre roots.

Diggs: “It was my first time seeing it and this song came on that I hadn’t heard before, and the audible ‘SING!’ in the audience. I was unaware you could do that!”

“It’s big, but the way we worked on it wasn’t big. We worked on it like it was a small thing. It felt like Community Theatre, pushing boxes around. We got in this groove and this is how you make Art. We understand something everyone could wrap their arms around and knew it inside and out.  When you watch it on this massive screen, we never saw any of that. It’s really cool to see something you only thought existed in your imagination.  I thought we were just building a world inside of our heads.”.

Academy Award-winner Javier Bardem stars as King Triton, Ariel’s father and describes taking-in the Film for the first time and also working with on-screen daughter, Bailey.

Bardem: “I’m sorry about my voice. That’s why I don’t have a song in the Movie! I loved the energy, it was amazing. People were honestly truly, deeply moved by it.  Everybody was cheering and supporting the hard work a lot of people have done with this Movie.”.

“Right in the moment I met her (Bailey), I fell for her. She has this thing where you can’t help but love her unconditionally. That was the first day. The rest of the Movie we just had fun and enjoyed the process. It was easy for us to connect. I was mesmerized by the quality of her performance – as an Actress and how much courage she had going to places she had to go.”.

Canada’s Jacob Tremblay continues to make us proud and he voices Flounder, one of Ariel’s three confidantes on her journey. He talks about the experience voicing his role in-person. And despite being born long after the timeless 1989 predecessor of this new version, it still was a part of his growing-up.

Tremblay: “We were all together for quite some time in-studio in England and got to know each other so well. That helped with the voicework. I preferred it more than being in a booth or on Zoom like during Covid. It was a privilege to be together and to do our scenes together.”.

 “I think just because it came out quite some time before I was born, I don’t remember not knowing the characters. It was still a big part of my childhood. I watched it quite a few times before going-in to film. I had to embody Flounter’s anxiety, but at the same time make sure I made it my own. It was great with everyone there, being able to riff off each other.”.

Awkwafina is a real scene-stealer as Scuttle, the seagull who joins forces with Sebastian and Flounder.  Like Tremblay, she describes the unique experience of collaborating in-person here. She also talks about the importance of diversity on-screen – which feels seamless here – and also how she relates to her character.

Awkwafina: “This is the first time I’ve ever read a scene with other Actors.  Usually we’re in a booth, while other Actors or the Director reads with you. It all just happened there and there were other people there too. That one day was where most of our performances came from.”.

“It really reflects the world we live in and everyone deserves to see themselves on-screen. This Movie also just celebrates really amazing performances. I did enjoy Scuttle and enjoyed watching it. I am Scuttle after like two Margaritas on a Tuesday. I’m very neurotic. I am Scuttle for sure.”.

Bailey tells us about the kinship between her and her character Ariel.

Bailey: “I tell people all the time that Ariel has helped me find myself and this young woman version of me. This was five years of my life, 18 to 23, those were intense transformative years developing as a young woman. The Film’s themes of what she had to go through – her passion, drive and speaking up for herself. What might be scary, she went for it. I try to adopt and give to Halle now.”.

Hauer-King talks about how while The Little Mermaid is fantastical, it actually is quite grounded in reality. He also reveals how this Film approaches the love story between Ariel and Prince Eric from a new lens.

Hauer-King: “It was a great privilege and a huge honour. The whole Film feels grounded in reality. Watching it last night made me realize for all of us even though we were living in a fantasy space, it feels really connected to the real world.  Being a Disney Prince is weird, isn’t it?”.

“Disney romances are always filled with instinctive attraction to one another. What was fun about this was that it came from our off-screen selves. Looking at Ariel and Eric as two people who were kindred spirits, restless and behind four walls of their respective castles looking outward and not in. Their relationship feels earned, teaching each other things, excited and fascinated by each other’s worlds and didn’t know it till the end. That’s what makes it last and special – the friendship tied to it.”.

Laurence Olivier Award-winning Thespian Noma Dumezweni stars as Prince Eric’s mother Queen Selina in the Film. She attributes the Film’s perfection to Director Rob Marshall.

Dumezweni: “It’s the spectacle and herding cats of it. It’s about making extraordinary people feel comfortable with what they’re doing. Rob and Jon (DeLuca, Producer) are theatre babies. Having a rehearsal on-set is such a rare thing in the TV and Film world. This is what we’re aiming for and we can be free when we’re doing it.”.

McCarthy also talks about the supportive space that Marshall created for her and her castmates.

McCarthy: “I remember the crazy 60-foot clamshell and trying not to cry every time I sang a melody. Rob sets-up this world like it is and this is why I fell in love with plays. It feels so small and you know it’s this enormous thing. If we all do our best, maybe we can make a show and it becomes so personal and everyone’s doing their best. And he’s swaddled in cashmere, quietly cheering everyone on from Actors to gorgeous camera moves and the Sound Department’s killing it. I have an appreciation of all the moving parts it takes to make a movie work. Having a cheerleader like that – we’re just so fortunate. The world wouldn’t be so mad if it had such a soft, gentle cheerleader.”.

Legendary Composer Alan Menken gets to see his compositions for The Little Mermaid take on a second life here in this new adaptation.  He sings high praise for Bailey.

Menken: “She’s adorable, so talented and you can’t take your eyes off her. The emotion is on her face and in her voice, she’s Halle Bailey, a delicious person and amazing Ariel.  You see it in levels.”.

Rob Marshall recalls Bailey being the first person he had seen for the role of Ariel and she set the benchmark with her audition off the bat.

Marshall: “The first Actor we saw for role was Halle.  The first thing she did was sing for us and sang that song. She shut her eyes and sang that song. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She’s so deeply connected to what she’s singing about, so emotional and beautiful. How is it that we’ve been doing it for five minutes and already have found Ariel?  We saw hundreds of Actors, every ethnicity, but she claimed the role for her.”.

Walt Disney Studios Canada release THE LITTLE MERMAID May 26, 2023.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

The trailer for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” the live-action reimagining of the studio’s animated musical classic, are here! Two of the film’s stars, Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, debuted the trailer during the 95th Annual Academy Awards®. “The Little Mermaid,” helmed by visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall, opens exclusively in theatres nationwide May 26, 2023.

“The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. The film stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) as the voice of Sebastian; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca”) as the voice of Flounder; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”) as King Triton; and two-time Academy Award® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula.

“The Little Mermaid” is directed by Oscar® nominee Rob Marshall (“Chicago,” “Mary Poppins Returns”)with a screenplay by two-time Oscar nominee David Magee (“Life of Pi,” “Finding Neverland”). The songs feature music from multiple Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”) and lyrics by Howard Ashman, and new lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film is produced by two-time Emmy® winner Marc Platt (“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” “Grease Live!”), Miranda, two-time Emmy winner John DeLuca (“Tony Bennett: An American Classic”), and Rob Marshall, with Jeffrey Silver (“The Lion King”) serving as executive producer.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone team-up on GOD’S FAVORITE IDIOT! See the new Trailer for the eight-episode Series.

About God’s Favorite Idiot:
Clark Thompson (Ben Falcone) is a mid-level tech support employee, who takes saunas with his dad, Gene (Kevin Dunn), pines after his co-worker Amily (Melissa McCarthy), and loves his cats. When he starts to glow, he begins to realize this isn’t an average day at the office and God has bigger plans for him. Clark can’t save mankind by himself, he must gather his flock of mismatched co-workers, his longtime crush Amily and angelic allies to outwit Satan herself (Leslie Bibb). Together, they’re just a bunch of average humans coming together for the greater good because, after all, you can’t save the world alone.

GOD’S FAVORITE IDIOT streams June 15, 2022 on Netflix.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Premiering at TIFF ’21, THE STARLING stars Melissa McCarthy. See this first Trailer for the September release.

Synopsis:

THE STARLING is in select theaters September 17, 2021 and on Netflix September 24, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy team-up on NINE PERFECT STRANGERS, coming next month to Amazon Prime Video!

Synopsis:

Based on The New York Times bestselling book from Australian author Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers is produced by the teams behind Big Little Lies and stars Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy in their first project together.

Filmed on location in Australia, the drama is set at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation, nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this ten-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine strangers have no idea what is about to hit them.

The cast also includes Luke Evans, Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Melvin Gregg, Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto, Asher Keddie, Michael Shannon, Grace Van Patten and Samara Weaving. Nine Perfect Strangers is executive produced by Nicole Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films, Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky for Made Up Stories, David E Kelley, Melissa McCarthy, John Henry Butterworth, Samantha Strauss, Jonathan Levine, Molly Allen and Liane Moriarty. The series is co-written by David E Kelley and John Henry Butterworth, with Jonathan Levine directing the series.

The first three episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers will launch on Amazon Prime Video on August 20, 2021 with new episodes launching weekly.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Great news! If you loved BIG LITTLE LIES, you’ll love Hulu Original eight-episode Series NINE PERFECT STRANGERS starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, coming this Fall to Amazon Prime Video.

Synopsis:

The highly anticipated drama series Nine Perfect Strangers, starring Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, based on the 2018 novel by Australian author of Big Little Lies Liane Moriarty and directed and produced by Jonathan Levine, will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in countries outside the U.S. and China later this year.

Set at a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation, nine stressed city dwellers try to get on a path to a better way of living. Watching over them during this ten-day retreat is the resort’s director Masha (Kidman), a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies. However, these nine strangers have no idea what is about to hit them.

Filmed on location in Australia, the cast includes Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy,in their first project together, alongside Luke Evans, Tiffany Boone, Bobby Cannavale, Melvin Gregg, Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto, Asher Keddie, Michael Shannon, Grace Van Patten, and Samara Weaving.

(Photo/video credit: Amazon Prime Video)

Ben Falcone writes and directs THUNDER FORCE, starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer! We need a good laugh!

Synopsis:

In a world where supervillains are commonplace, two estranged childhood best friends reunite after one devises a treatment that gives them powers to protect their city.

See the Trailer:

THUNDER FORCE arrives Friday, April 9, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

We want to give Readers a chance to win Advance Passes to see THE KITCHEN starring an incredible cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss,! Screenings take place as follows:

VANCOUVER
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex International Village
88 West Pender, 3rd Floor
Vancouver BC, V6B 6N9

MONTREAL (FRENCH)
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Cineplex Quartier Latin
350 Rue Emery
Montreal QC, H2X 1J1

EDMONTON
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton
8882 170 St Suite: #3030
Edmonton AB, T5T 4M2

OTTAWA
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa
2385 City Park Drive
Ottawa ON, K1J 1G1

CALGARY
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Chinook
6455 Macleod Trail SW
Calgary AB, T2H 0K4

WINNIPEG
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Winnipeg
817 St. James Street
Winnipeg MB, R3G 3L3

HALIFAX
Screening details:
Wednesday, August 7 2019
Show Time: 7:00 PM
Scotiabank Theatre Halifax
190 Chain Lake Dr.
Halifax NS, B3S 1C5

Synopsis:
The gritty, female-driven mob drama “The Kitchen,” from New Line Cinema and BRON Creative, was written and directed by Andrea Berloff, who was nominated for an Oscar for the original screenplay for “Straight Outta Compton.”

“The Kitchen” stars Oscar nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”), Tiffany Haddish (“Girls Trip”), and Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) as three 1978 Hell’s Kitchen housewives whose mobster husbands are sent to prison by the FBI. Left with little but a sharp ax to grind, the ladies take the Irish mafia’s matters into their own hands—proving unexpectedly adept at everything from running the rackets to taking out the competition…literally.

The film also stars Domhnall Gleeson (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”), James Badge Dale (“Only the Brave”), Brian d’Arcy James (“Spotlight”), with Margo Martindale (TV’s “The Americans”), Oscar winner Common (“Selma,” “Marshall”), and Bill Camp (“Vice”). The cast also includes Jeremy Bobb (“Marshall”), E.J. Bonilla (TV’s “The Long Road Home”), Wayne Duvall (“Prisoners”), Annabella Sciorra (TV’s “Daredevil”), Myk Watford (HBO’s “True Detective”).

See the Trailer:

Artwork:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate there your City. Click “share” from there or Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw for one more chance!

#THEKITCHENMOVIE is in theatres Friday, August 9, 2019.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Bros. Canada)

VVS Films x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a copy of THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS on Blu-ray!

Synopsis:
In a world where puppets co-exist with humans, hard-boiled puppet detective Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta), a former cop, sets off on the trail of the serial killer who murdered his brother. The killer, who is now targeting the cast members of the 1980s television series The Happytime Gang, has set his sights on Phil’s former girlfriend, Jenny (Elizabeth Banks).

Phil teams up with his former police partner, Detective Edwards (Melissa McCarthy), to find the culprit, but as more and more clues surface, Phil begins to look like the only possible suspect. Not only does he have to find the killer, but in the process he hopes to clear his name.

Trailer:

Artwork:

Special Features include:

Deleted Scenes
Gag Reel
VFX Breakdown
Feature Commentary
Virtual Environments
Avatar Demo
Line-O-Rama
Clips
B-Roll
Soundbites
Interviews

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK, Canadian Readers only please. Re-Tweet this Tweet from @mwillw for an extra chance!

VVS Films release THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS on Blu-ray Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)